PHILIPSBURG – Local martial arts instructor Melissa Bardfield just returned from Boston, Massachusetts, where she taught two women’s only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes as fundraisers for Rosie’s Place. Over US $900 cash and a large amount of clothing and food were donated to Rosie’s Place.
Rosie’s Place is a shelter for women, founded in 1974. Their mission is to provide a safe environment for poor and homeless women in the Boston area. Bardfield received her black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Renzo Gracie in New York City, and is head instructor at Renzo Gracie St. Maarten in Cole Bay.
Women’s only martial arts classes are growing rapidly in popularity across the USA. What was formally seen as a male dominated sport is changing. The celebrity status of female martial artists like Ronda Rousey has inspired many women to take up martial arts. Bardfield encourages women to take up martial arts and feel empowered.
SXM BJJ is pleased to offer a women’s only kickboxing class on Saturdays from 8:00am-9:00am. The class will cover the proper techniques of Muay Thai Kickboxing, but without the aggressive and often intimidating sparring. It is excellent not only for coordination and skill, it is also a fat burning cardio workout. The class is taught by Akeem Lewis, a Muay Thai specialist and long time student of Sensei Marco London.
The first class will be held Saturday, May 7, from 8:00am-9:00am, and SXM BJJ is offering a special promotion price of $5 to those who pre-register by emailing info@sxmbjj.com. For more information on martial arts classes for women, call (721) 580-3894.
